Many years ago, Eddie Smith, the owner and CEO of Grady-White Boats, told me why he kept promoting Kris Carroll, the company’s president who is going to be inducted into the NMMA’s Hall of Fame on Sept. 29. “She was so good at every job she did that she just kept moving up,” he said.
The NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers’ Association) will present Carroll with the 2020 NMMA Hall of Fame Award at the opening of the IBEX show online. She is the first woman to get the award. Among the previous 47 recipients are Ray Hunt, Olin Stephens, Nathanael G. Herreshoff, and Eddie Smith.
“It is a particular honor to note that as our first female recipient, Kris has blazed a trail for future female marine leaders, and her legacy will be imprinted on our industry for years to come,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the NMMA.
Carroll moved from Massachusetts to Greenville, North Carolina, in 1975. Looking for work, she took a job as a production control clerk at the Grady-White factory there. She worked up to lead that department, and in 1987 was promoted to be VP of engineering; in 1989, VP of Manufacturing; in 1992, Executive VP, and in 1993, President. Carroll was the first woman to be the president of a major boat builder.
She has always believed in building strong dealer relationships and putting customers first. As a result, Grady-White has earned a top rating in every marine industry customer satisfaction survey, including those done by the NMMA and J.D. Power. She also fosters a company culture where, she has said, everyone “enjoys coming to work on Monday, like they enjoy going home on Friday.”
Carroll has been dedicated to conservation efforts, and is on the board of the NMMA and the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce; in the past, she has been on the board of BoatUS and the Pitt County, North Carolina, United Way.
Grady-White today builds 26 models from 18 to 45 feet. Read more:
https://www.nmma.org/press/article/23413
